#13,606
Bulgaria - which has has been plagued by scattered outbreaks of HPAI H5N8 in commercial poultry throughout the summer (see here, here, here, and here) - reports two more outbreaks (of presumably H5N8) in the southern province of Haskovo today.
While Bulgaria's bird flu woes pale compared to Russia's summer surge in HPAI H5 (see Brief ESA Report On HPAI H5N2 & H5Nx In Russia), both Bulgaria and Western Russia lie under the migratory flyways that lead from Siberia to Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
As we move into the colder months of fall and winter, the incidence of avian flu in the Northern Hemisphere is expected to increase.
This from Bulgaria's Food Safety Agency.
BVBH found Avian influenza in two livestock farms in the village of Voyvodovo, Haskovo municipality, Haskovo district
18.10.2018
The Bulgarian Food Safety Agency (BNSA) has identified two outbreaks of the Avian Influenza (influenza) disease in livestock farms intended for breeding broodstocks and chicken broilers located in the village of Voyvodovo, Haskovo municipality, Haskovo district. The disease was confirmed by a laboratory test report.
For the control and eradication of the disease, NVS started implementing all measures in accordance with current legislation. Humane killing and destruction of all birds kept in the affected sites is undertaken, followed by cleansing and disinfection. The 3-kilometer protection zones and 10-kilometer surveillance zones around the outbreaks have been identified. The movement of birds and their products into and out of the protection and surveillance zones is prohibited. In both areas, the marketing and movement of domestic, wild and other breeding birds and eggs, as well as the displacement of birds for the renewal of the wild game stock, are prohibited. Daily clinical examinations of birds kept in other settlements in the protection zone are performed.
Enhanced surveillance and biosecurity measures in poultry farms as well as in water basins where the wild bird population is heavily concentrated.
There is an epizootic study of the causes of the disease.
The NVS reminds that feed should be kept indoors as well as feedstocks - thus avoiding the possibility of wild feathered birds infesting the feed, and hence the hosts being infected with the virus.
At this stage there are no people affected and there is no danger to consumers. Influenza virus can cause mild respiratory disease. Possible infection can occur when inhaled contaminated farm dust or in direct contact with people with infected birds.
Meanwhile, Vietnam reports to the OIE today on another outbreak of HPAI H5N6 in poultry - that country's 5th reported outbreak since September. Unlike neighboring China, Vietnam has never reported a human infection with H5N6.
